Castle

Laying in the Streambed of Inspiration
"I know the land by being the land. By feeling the river over my face."
By entering into a trance-like state, the anceint Druids would gain knowledge & inspiration from becoming one
with the land and placing themselves in a open mental state. They would meditate without focus and allow knowledge to flow through them. Borrowing from the ancient myths, they would quite literally put themselves in the Streambed of Inspiration where the Salmon of Knowledge dwells and allow him to whisper to them what he knew.

First Rite- Imbas Forosna
"Inspiration of Tradition"
This rite is a divination technique of uncertain meaning. The prophetess Fedelm used it to tell Maeve the outcome of the Tain. Generally speaking, it is believed to be what it says, and not unlike Second Site. Some sources connect Imbas Forosna with animal practices and most Celtic scholars follow this line of belief. In the ninth or tenth century a monk wrote, explaining Imbas Forosna as chewing on the flesh of an animal sacrificed for divination. This rite is used to have things revealed. The modern recommendation is to use an animal token such as a feather, tooth or bone, but the traditional rite uses raw flesh. Druids made invocations, songs, or prayers over the token, then placed it on the threshold of their dwelling. They then laid down in the darkness, covering their faces and either fell asleep or went into a deep trance. When they arose, they immediately recorded or recited the poem they received that could fortell the future or answer the delemma. Imbas delivers the answer in poetic form in the manner of an oracle.

Second Rite- The Teinim Laid
"Breaking open by Poetry"
This rite uses the power of poetic incantation. Poems are sung recited in a loose extemporaneous fasion until a trance-like state is acheived. The words calm the elements and allow knowlegde to flow to the receiver. Words are of the highest form of worship and must be fit to speak to a sovereign, who is the land and one with the land from where all knowledge comes. Each of us as a Druid is a poet laureate, speaking our own Truth of Sovereignty. Our judgements must contain the wisdom of the ages and merit the attention of our community. We seek only poetic justice. We must hurl truth in the face of injustice and need to believe in the power of this incantation to receive the truth. As Druids, we have the responsibility to think clearly, know our minds and express our considered thoughts in powerful ways."Poet" literaly means creator; to be a Druid poet is to be responsible for creating well-being in our entire sphere of life. Like a shaman shaking a rattle over a sick person to find the ailing part, shake your voice over the question to find the answer. This rite is used to solve mysteries. .

Third Rite- Dichetul Dichennaib
"Recital Through Finger-ends"
Similar to Teinum Laida, this rite adds touch, as well. Touch the subject with the fingers and through divination obtain what they sought by spontaneously composing verse. According to legend, Cathbad the Druid touched the pregnant stomach of Fidlimid's wife and recited a poem to tell of the child called Deirdre. The poem that is spoken upon touching each subject is likea reading given by a psychic touching an object, although most often, it must be interpreted to gain the entire meaning. Further meditation is sometimes required until it becomes clear.